Carrot Sesame Crackers

I spent a few hours last weekend doing a “bathroom raid.” I decided to take a sharp look at the body products and cosmetics in my drawers and pitch anything that was outdated or rarely used. More importantly, I took a good look at the ingredient lists of what I use on a daily basis. I’ve been avoiding it for a while and now I know why. Yikes.

Until I started reading the labels (and trying to interpret them…) of things like mascara and styling gel, I didn’t realize just how loaded these products are with junk. That lotion that was marketed as “natural and earth-friendly?” Paraben alert. And the shampoo in the company’s “pure” product line? There are three ingredients in a list of about twenty that I can pronounce.

So I’ve decided that one of my intentions for the month of December is to gradually pitch the chemical-laden, can’t-pronounce-it products and replace them with healthier alternatives made from real, pure, simple ingredients. I’m going to start treating body care products and cosmetics like my food. If the ingredient list is lengthy and I’m unsure about a few things, it’s not going in my cart.

This is probably going to be an expensive month. Honestly. Pure skin care products and cosmetics do not come cheap! But in the long run, I know it’s worth it one hundred times over.

One of the easiest ways to create glowing skin and natural beauty is to nourish yourself from the inside out. We are what we eat, and I certainly don’t want to be a walking limp and salty French fry.

When it comes to cravings, most people—especially us girls—tend to lean towards something sweet or salty/crunchy when they’re looking for something to munch on. And so out comes the box of cookies or potato chips (or both…it happens) to satisfy the gnawing need for that craving to be met. The problem is, we are often left unsatisfied and wanting more when we eat nutritionally empty snacks.

Junk food temporarily occupies the brain while we eat it, but our brains quickly lose interest and wise up, saying, “Mmm, this tastes good. But hey, where are the nutrients?” Chips and cookies give us a fleeting feel good sensation, but they don’t provide lasting physical nourishment.

The solution? Make your own crunchy snacks! Take these Carrot Sesame Crackers, for instance. Containing healthy fats from the almond flour, sesame seeds, and olive oil, they’ll satisfy your hunger, kill your cravings, and taste deliciously buttery all at the same time. (Carrots add a secret nutrient boost, too.)

There are no refined flours, cheap oils, or un-pronouncable ingredients in these crackers. Serve them up with your favorite veggie soup or salad and some guacamole for a nutritious meal that will surely get you glowing.

–

(And by the way, if you have any clean skin care products or cosmetics to recommend, I’m all ears!)

Carrot Sesame Crackers

Yield will vary depending on the size you cut your crackers

1 3/4 cup (168 grams) blanched almond flour

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, divided

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup grated carrots

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, process the almond flour, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, and salt until the seeds are finely ground, about 20 seconds. Add the grated carrots and remaining 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Pulse just to combine, about 5 one-second pulses. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the olive oil and maple syrup over the flour mixture. Stir to form a thick dough.

Pat the dough into a thick square or rectangular shape on a large piece of parchment paper. Top with another large piece of parchment paper and roll out into an 1/8-inch thick rectangular shape. Transfer the dough, parchment paper and all, to a baking sheet. Remove the top piece of parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into cracker shapes of desired size.

Bake for 16-20 minutes until deeply golden brown, rotating the pan once halfway through. Cool completely (crackers will continue to crisp up as they cool), then break into individual crackers along the lines that you cut. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Comments

I have definitely been purging my products lately! No more icky chemical shampoos for me. I love Weleda products and a close friend has just started making gorgeous wonderfully pure and totally effective skin care products. You can find her stuff at Flora and Fauna Skincare (on the internet) I also started using a shampoo bar on my hair and I love it! Good luck with your purging

Ooh I love that you made carrot crackers! I would worry that the carrots would be too moist, but glad to see that they aren’t! These look lovely. I have found that Everyday Coconut stuff is pretty good. http://www.vitacost.com/everyday-coconut-super-hydrating-shampoo-32-fl-oz It has a few ingredients I had to look up, but they appear to be okay. Of course, I’m not the expert on this, so anyone that wants to scrutinize is welcome to! LOL

Hallie, please check out the Taylor Made Organic Skin care line, I have been using it for years. The website is http://www.taylormadearomatherapy.com, my favorites are the muscle ease shower gel and lotion, the herbal skin salve (all purpose healer) and the moisturizing conditioner . Her products are the most reasonably priced I have found, and all natural and mostly organic ingredients. Many come in sample sizes and Christy is great about answering questions on products. Crackers look great ! Thanks

These look great! I don’t like carrots soi have to sneak them in. ;) I live in the UK, do you think finely ground almonds are the same as almond flour? They just have ground almonds here but they are used a lot in baking. Thanks!

Hey Hallie,
Just discovered your blog through pinterest and Queen of Quinoa, will follow you for sure! As far as going natural in your beauty products, don’t despair! Most of the products generating ‘buzz’ are pretty expensive in my opinion, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little searching you can find quality products at affordable prices. My blog is on a mini-hiatus right now, but you can check it out for ideas. For body lotion and shampoo I really like Acure. For makeup, I use a lot of The All Natural Face, Silk Naturals and Madison Street Beauty (on Etsy). I also really like Honeybee Gardens. You may want to try some beauty boxes like Green Grab Bag and/or Goodebox (I like the latter) to discover brands. Here are some affordable sites to check out:
bewellstaywell.com
allnaturalcosmetics.com
naturaljoybeauty.com

Green is the new black baby! Once you switch over, you won’t look back. Have fun!
Michele

Hallie, I purged my personal care products about a year ago, and was appalled at how some of the “natural” and “pure” baby products seemed to be the worst offenders (i.e., having almost all of the Dirty Dozen Cosmetic chemicals in the ingredients!).

I’ve been really happy with the alternatives I’ve found though, and not all of them are more expensive. Handmade bar soaps and shampoo bars with simple and truly pure ingredient lists can be found at farmer’s markets or made; apple cider vinegar works great as conditioner, etc. I really like the Keys line of lotions and facial cleansers, and many of my products now come from them. The only one I’m not happy with is the daily sunscreen (“Solar Rx”), because it has nano-zinc oxide in it, which I’d rather avoid. You can find their products here: http://www.keys-soap.com/ostore/home.php

If you are on Pinterest, I have a Homemade Bath & Body board. I make my own shampoo (don’t need conditioner with this), toner, moisturizer, lotion, etc. And I make my own cleaners (including dishwasher). I also buy a 20 lbs of an all natural glycerin soap and cut it up as I need it, from Wholesale Soap Supplies. Here’s the Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ymas0616/homemade-natural-bath-body/

Question, have you ever tried to do these in a dehydrator? I’d like to try this and see what happens! I’ll bet you could also use the leftovers from juicing carrots for this (although I don’t have a juicer!)

@Amy: Yes, I was also wondering whether one can make these crackers in the dehydrator. Will try. Made carrot and apple juice yesterday, so will use the pulp.
I use organic coconut oil on my face and body after my shower. Simple.

I made these crackers today and they are delicious! So many times I try recipes I find online and they don’t work at all. This recipe is simple, easy to do and the crackers turn out perfect! Thank you!!

Hey Hallie,
My name is Janelle Petrescue and I have been following your blog for about a year now. I’ve connected with your blog on account of having a similar journey going gluten and dairy free. I’ve appreciated your tips and recipes to help keep food yummi and exciting. You are so right that it’s an ongoing journey, learning new things everyday! Thank you for allowing myself and many others to be challenged and motivated through your blog.

I was just reading your post from December 5th about unclean products and I would be curious to know what products you’ve been using to date and what other ones you’ve tried? I too am shocked and mortified as I have learned more about the toxic ingredients found in the products we use every day. As part of my research I’ve come across USANA Health Sciences. Have you ever heard of them? I continue to be impressed with this company as I have found products that I would use myself as well as recommend to others. I’m a Registered Massage Therapist and am always interested in dialoguing about ways to optimize health. I would love to connect with you Hallie, and share more in depth information about USANA’s preservative-free, clean products that would serve your own health as well as the members of your blog.

Lindsay: I haven’t made these with anything other than almond flour, but perhaps finely ground pumpkin seeds would work (grind them finely in a coffee/spice grinder). Hazelnut meal might also be a good option.

great idea! I was wondering if you could recommend a substitute for the honey since a) I’m not eating sweet things right now and b) not sure I need this to be sweet since carrots are. Perhaps you need it to glue it together?

Ok, just made this crackers for my toddler. They were so delicious and my husband and I couldn’t stop eating them. Gonna make more tomorrow and I wonder if there is another vegetable I could use. By the way didn’t have enough sesame seeds so I used flex seeds and as I said, it was perfect. All your recepies are always accurate and big success, you are so talented.

Hi Hallie, love your blog! I’m new to GF and so thrilled with your info. As for chemical free cosmetics, I use OSEA (o-sea) brand from Malibu, Ca. Made consciously from seaweed and are delish! Found it in my Vegetarian Times Magazine. Great facial mousturizers. Check them out at http://www.osea.com.
Happy blogging
Geege

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